---
sidebar_label: Overview
description: >-
  The OpenBao Helm chart is the recommended way to install and configure OpenBao on
  Kubernetes.
---

# Helm chart

:::warning

**Important Note:** This chart is not compatible with Helm 2. Please use Helm 3.6+ with this chart.

:::

The [OpenBao Helm chart](https://github.com/openbao/openbao-helm)
is the recommended way to install and configure OpenBao on Kubernetes.
In addition to running OpenBao itself, the Helm chart is the primary
method for installing and configuring OpenBao to integrate with other
services such as Consul for High Availability (HA) deployments.

This page assumes general knowledge of [Helm](https://helm.sh/) and
how to use it. Using Helm to install OpenBao requires that Helm is
properly installed and configured with your Kubernetes cluster.

@include 'kubernetes-supported-versions.mdx'

## Using the helm chart

Helm must be installed and configured on your machine. Please refer to the [Helm
documentation](https://helm.sh/) for more information.

To use the Helm chart, add the Hashicorp helm repository and check that you have
access to the chart:

@include 'helm/repo.mdx'

:::info

**Important:** The Helm chart is new and under significant development.
Please always run Helm with `--dry-run` before any install or upgrade to verify
changes.

:::

Example chart usage:

Installing the latest release of the OpenBao Helm chart with pods prefixed with
the name `openbao`.

```shell-session
$ helm install openbao openbao/openbao
```

Installing a specific version of the chart.

@include 'helm/install.mdx'

:::warning

**Security Warning:** By default, the chart runs in standalone mode. This
mode uses a single OpenBao server with a file storage backend. This is a less
secure and less resilient installation that is **NOT** appropriate for a
production setup. It is highly recommended to use a [properly secured Kubernetes
cluster](https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/administer-cluster/securing-a-cluster/),
[learn the available configuration
options](/docs/platform/k8s/helm/configuration), and read the [production deployment
checklist](/docs/platform/k8s/helm/run#architecture).

:::
